GoldBod MD Sammy Gyamfi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has reiterated the institution’s firm commitment to combating illegal mining and promoting sustainable practices in Ghana’s gold sector.
Speaking on TV3’s Key Points programme, Mr. Gyamfi stressed that environmental protection lies at the heart of GoldBod’s mandate, noting that the institution has already taken concrete steps to enforce compliance.
“When we took over, there was no real fight against illegal mining. We did not maintain the status quo,” he said, highlighting measures implemented since GoldBod’s establishment.
Mr. Gyamfi noted that Legislative Instruments 23 and 24, which previously permitted certain mining activities in protected areas, have been revoked.
“Mining is no longer permissible in forest reserves, and NAIMOS is actively cracking down on illegal miners everywhere. You have seen the videos,” he added.
He explained that GoldBod has institutionalised environmental protection by criminalising the purchase of gold sourced from illegal mining activities. Under Section 59 of the GoldBod Act, he said, the purchase of gold from unauthorised mining operations constitutes an offence.
The CEO also addressed criticism over the pace of implementing traceability measures. While Ghana has procured gold since the colonial era, he described the introduction of a national traceability system as a landmark reform.
“We have given timelines for the traceability programme to be fully operational. Every gram of gold purchased by the state will be traceable to its mine of origin, and it must come from a sustainable mine,” Mr. Gyamfi said.
He acknowledged the challenges created by decades of unregulated gold trading and smuggling, which he said have undermined environmental protection and deprived the state of revenue.
“We are an institution barely eight months old, yet we are introducing reforms to ensure the gold trade is traceable, regulated and environmentally responsible. It is unfair to expect such systems to have existed overnight when they were not implemented by previous administrations,” he added.
Mr. Gyamfi further highlighted the extensive damage illegal mining has caused to forests, water bodies and farmlands, stressing that the fight against galamsey goes beyond enforcement.
“This is about protecting communities and preserving our natural resources for future generations,” he said.
He concluded that GoldBod was deliberately established to promote traceability and sustainability in gold procurement, balancing economic benefits with environmental responsibility.
“Our approach ensures Ghana’s gold sector supports development without compromising our natural heritage,” he reiterated.
